Tell us about your family, Marlaina.
Marlaina: My husband, Phillip, and I have two children: Corbitt (8) and my daughter, Brinkley (5). As a veterinarian, I count my pets as my furry children! I have three dogs, Sozo, Dolly, and Tater, and one cat, Dexter.
How do you balance motherhood, being a veterinarian, serving in the military, and singing in a band with your husband?
Marlaina: My friends and family wonder how I maintain my crazy work and family life. The truth is, I don’t even know how I manage it most days. I am constantly juggling a million things at once, and it’s impossible to keep everything in the air. My best lesson learned is that it is okay to let things fall off sometimes. My ultimate goal is to be able to work to help provide for my family and be able to be present for my kids and family as much as I possibly can. This era of my life is busy and chaotic, but I know it will pay off in the long run for myself, my family, and my career.
Being a military mom, what challenges have you faced?
Marlaina: Last year, I had to go on a six-month deployment to Iraq. That was a tough time for our family because it was a long time to be away from my children and my children being away from their mom. However, they did well. We are blessed to have a village of family and friends who supported us during that time, and we are forever grateful to those individuals who showed extra love to our children.
How do you encourage responsibility for your children at young ages?
Marlaina: My children help out on our farm with our one cat, dogs, and cows. They love having outdoor adventures on our farm and spending time with their mama and daddy. They are involved in the kids group at Century Church and love to do any fun event they can with Century Kids. My children are some of the most loving and outgoing kids. They never meet a stranger and love our friends just like they are a part of our family.
How do you nurture your self-care?
Marlaina: Motherhood is a wild ride. One day, I will figure out how to get eight hours of sleep each night, exercise, eat right, keep a beautifully clean house, plant a garden, and get a regular self-care routine like haircuts, pedicures, and massages. Until then, I will get it in when I can.
Why did you decide to start a mobile veterinary service?
Marlaina: I started Pike Road Mobile Veterinary Services in September 2024 to provide unique and personalized veterinary care for the community and spend quality time with my family. I am working part-time relief work at other veterinary clinics while I build up my practice. If all goes well with the business growth, I hope to stop the relief work this summer and go full-time with Pike Road Mobile Veterinary Services.
Being in a band could be a dream for many moms. Please share your fun experience as a musician.
Marlaina: My husband and I started our band, Naked Water Band, about four years ago. My dad and brother joined the band over the past two years, and we have so much fun making music together. We play a few shows a month as an outlet for our musical side and an excuse to spend time with each other in our crazy-busy lives. If we had time to write music and make a record in Nashville, we would probably try, but our love for our family and farm life here in Pike Road far surpasses our music career dreams.
Rapid Fire Questions
If you could have a “mom superpower,” what would it be?
Clone myself to get all of my work done.
What’s a guilty pleasure that you indulge in when you finally
get some “me time?” A girl’s trip!
What’s your go-to mom hack that makes life so much easier?
Setting my coffee pot on auto.
If you could go on a dream vacation with unlimited funds,
where would you go? Costa Rica.
Marlaina Nelson is married to Phillip Nelson. They started dating at 17 and were married 17 years ago. They have two children: son Corbitt (8) and daughter Brinkley (5).
*Photo courtesy of Hello Baby Photography.
